Fruit Logistica Innovation Award 2017 nominees revealed

The shortlist for the 2017 Fruit Logistica Innovation Award (FLIA) has been announced, with the ten innovations selected to be presented from 8-10 February 2017 in a special exhibition between Halls 20 and 21 at Fruit Logistica.

The winner of the award will be selected by the more than 70,000 trade visitors from over 130 countries attending the exhibition. They will be able to cast their vote for the innovation of the year on the first two days of the trade fair, before the winner is announced on Friday 10 February.

"The Fruit Logistica Innovation Award is considered the industry's most important award," said Fruit Logistica global brand Manager Wilfried Wollbold. "It attracts considerable media attention and recognises new products and services whose market launch in recent months will give important impetus to the international fresh produce trade."

A panel of experts consisting of representatives from all levels of the fresh produce trade has selected the following ten nominees from over 60 submissions:

BE-Cube Demountable Pallet Box System - Beekenkamp Verpakkingen B.V., Netherlands: A flexible, space-saving multi-purpose pallet box system which is both lightweight and completely collapsible, available with tilting and base emptying functions.

Crisp Fresh Watermelon - Syngenta, France: A seedless watermelon cultivated specially for fresh-cut processing with firm, dark red fruit pulp, reduced liquid loss and extended shelf life.

Knox, Delayed pinking in fresh cut lettuce - Rijk Zwaan Zaadteelt en Zaadhandel BV, Netherlands: A specially developed natural solution to delay so-called 'pinking' in cut lettuce, extending shelf life at POS by one or two days.

Mango Peeler & De-Cheeker - ZTI Smart Machines, Netherlands: A mango peeling and de-cheeking machine with dynamic insert clamps, specially developed spikes and fine, adjustable peeling knives for an exact, product friendly cutting process.

Natupol Excel, Bee Vision - Koppert Biological Systems, Netherlands: A specially developed beehive to optimise pollination in the greenhouse under artificial lighting. It has integrated navigation aids for the bees using reflective signals and a special coating.

SoFruBox System - SoFruPak, Poland: A new environmentally friendly packaging system with bottomless trays and compatible individually vented SoFruMiniPak containers to optimise cooling and ventilation.

Streamer Automatic Spiralizer, Turatti srl, Italy: A spiral cutting machine for the high volume handling of vegetables to produce pasta-like shapes such as spaghetti, tagliatelle, rings and even gnocchi-like cores.

Sustainable Grow Bag for Tasty Tomatoes - Greenyard Horticulture Belgium, Belgium: A fully compostable growbag filled with 100 per cent organic substrate for the cultivation of greenhouse vegetables such as tomatoes and other products.

The Cracking Monkey, Pili Nuts - Die Frischebox GmbH, Germany: A pre-germinated nut from the Philippines with high levels of Vitamin E, pre-scored for easy opening with the special stainless steel cracker and sold in environmentally friendly cotton bags.

Yello, The Color of Taste - VI.P/VOG, Italy: A sweet and crunchy yellow apple variety of Shinano Gold, a Japanese cross between Golden Delicious and Senshu.